amazing hike. Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' The ground is primarily rough granite which makes for easy climbing although a bit of bouldering may be required. The view westward is of Burst Rock, Cooper Peak, Three Chimneys, East Flange Rock and the Dardinelles. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. At these depths, magma is insulated by the rocks around it and cools very slowly, growing large interlocking crystals. Have fun out there and stay safe! tough day hiking up the granite and navigating around snow patches. Luckily this was accomplished by noon, and I had brought my Eno hammock. If you wish to use a grill, stove, or make a campfire, it is recommen Start: 3819'08.46"N 11939'49.26"W Elev 8879ftPark along Hwy 108, head down the bank and across the stream at the bottom. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. 4.5 miles, out-and-back trailelevation gain: 1,000ft. Beautiful trail. The resulting magma is less dense than material typically found at that depth, so it rises like oil in salad dressing. Take this detour eastwards for about 1/2 mile over downed trees and boulders. There are epic views of Lower Lewis Lake, several hundred feet below. President Lyndon B. Johnson was born near Johnson City. - second day ~12 mi, camp at sheep camp It's buggy as hell this time of year in sections. An intriguing masterpiece! In fact, granitic rocks are generally classified by their mineral proportions and given names such as granite, granodiorite, tonalite, and diorite. Once on the ridge its fairly flat with some nice alpine wildflowers amid the volcanic rocks with some interesting rock features as one approaches the summit. We got to the ridge past the boulder field and enjoyed a nice lunch with views. Granite Shoals was developed as a lake resort, a 'fishing cabin community'. It was very enjoyable even with the bushwacking. The route is up a forested valley, over open granite slopes, through more woodland along the creek and into a flat area with various small ponds and lakes beneath 9,806 foot Polly Dome, from where a short hiker-made trail crosses to the shore of the main lake. 965 Overnight parking at the resort lot is $10/night and can be paid at the resort lobby. In fact, on separate holiday weekend trips we had Iceland and Lewis Lakes all to ourselves. But there's more at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area than just the dome. The best views of the lakes are located slightly below the summit where the flatter rocks of the summit area abruptly transition to the precipitous granite cliffs. Granite is an intrusive igneous rock, which means it crystallized from molten rock, called magma, miles underground. It is West of the PCT trailhead at Sonora Pass and it is not marked. Day 1 - Tracked 9 miles our first day and stayed at Sheep Camp; note that starting at the free parking lot and not the Kennedy Meadows lodge adds about a mile. In 1966, the residents voted to incorporate into the City of Granite Shoals. The Lower and Upper Relief Valleys are beautiful alpine valleys cut by Relief Creek in the heart of the Emigrant Wilderness and are an excellent alternative to Yosemite National Park if you're looking for solitude and no crowds. didn't have too much trouble crossing the river - would recommend closer to the Kennedy meadows end before the river splits into two. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. More adventurous folks can camp elsewhere on the Dome, exploring Iceland, Sardella, or Ridge Lake, taking an alternate route down to Upper Relief valley and following the trail back to Kennedy Meadows. I camped at the Kennedy Meadows Trailhead and set off early in the morning heading south and Saucer Meadow, where I departed . This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Drive the Peach Loop, one of TPWDs Great Texas Wildlife Trails. We were the first footprints on Mosquito Pass. Overnight the wind died down and by morning the air was completely still. I think it would be a very long and tiring day to camp your first night at Ridge Lake. Visitors to the park, from hikers to rock climbers, experience a landscape dominated by granite. Even though Yosemite Valley has received considerable attention because of its geologic fame and dominant place in our cultural geography, the 3,000-foot-tall southeast face of El Capitan remained unmapped until recently. Amazingly beautiful. The park boundary perfectly frames a landscape that is composed almost entirely of granite, and its no surprise that this landscape contains some of the most iconic rock formations on earth. Call the Summit ranger station for current conditions. Furthermore, the view overlooking Iceland Lake from the south is fantastic. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Day 4 - 2 miles of scrambling, bouldering, etc over sketchy terrain to get to the north. 6:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. All photos and stories are my own and are not to be used or copied without permission. tough day hiking up the granite and navigating around snow patches. MLS# SW13171517. They were uniformly lovely. Frost and ice expansion in the joints during the winter accelerate the alteration process while the most unstable loosen external . There is also parking at Kennedy Meadow Resort but you need to pay for that. #cawx #spottedatmidpen #santacruzmountains #recreateresponsibly #leavenotrace, At least a dozen major stems of this ancient Canyon Live Oak are fused together to produce an immense trunk at the base. To the south we saw an endless wilderness of lakes and peaks that we have yet to explore! The double river crossing All trails suggested didn't seem ideal so I crossed right after the fork here (N38.235029 W119.722289. :) Also the east side of the lake was mercifully mosquito free, almost (I saw 2 there in total and I am the type of guy the mosquitos "go for.") Despite the drought year, lots of water though since it's still early in the season. Situated on the eastern edge of Emigrant Wilderness, Leavitt Lake is a great introduction to backpacking in the Sierra Nevada. For example, the Be sure to bring your camera. Granite Dome is an immense granite massif with numerous micro-basins occupied by a series of stunning alpine lakes set amid granite slabs and cliffs. Overnight trip. Granite Dome Lakes. From Ridge Lake we ascended the rise above Iceland Lake with a gorgeous panorama from yet another balcony. Even though we werent quite expecting the snowy conditions, it kept the popularity of the hike minimal. I would recommend 4 days. Eventually, the path brings you to a series of stunning lakes, which are perfect for a swim on a hot summer afternoon. The direct route from Middle to Upper Lewis Lake contains some steep granite slabs that may prove too steep for many without rock gear or snow/ice gear in early season. more information on current conditions Granitic rocks of the Yosemite Valley area, California, Plutonism in the Central Part of the Sierra Nevada Batholith, California, The Geologic Story of Yosemite National Park, Sierra Nevada Batholith Geologic Map Mosaic, Yosemites Iconic El Capitan Mapped in Hi-Res 3-D. I walked from subpeak to subpeak, taking in Ridge Lake, Iceland Lake, Sardella Lake, Lewis Lakes, and smaller unnamed bodies of water. From this viewpoint, we traversed around the end of Upper Lewis Lake and continued to stunning Ridge Lake. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. Backpacking to Upper Lewis Lake and Granite Dome in Emigrant Wilderness. I took off my boots and waded through maybe 6" of water for part of the crossing; most of the others in my group kept their boots on and just hopped from rock to rock. It seemed like it would still be at least a mile to get to the summit from there, and we decided we had enough to do to get back to the car that day, so we didn't make it to the top. We tried to do it as an overnight trip but I think it would be better as a 2 night trip, as we logged about 30 miles over the two days. My first time visiting this region included a hike to the top of Granite Dome with excellent 360 degree views, especially down to the lakes below. Main thing to note is that the streams were mostly dry so needed to rely on water from the lakes for the most part. (LogOut/ You could say Dr. Sharon Mosher, dean of the Jackson School of . Enjoy this 21.2-mile out-and-back trail near Pinecrest, California. If early in the season (or a heavy snow year like this year when snow will persist through much of summer) consider bringing ice and crampons as the slope to the ridge is moderately steep. The off-trail travel is fairly easy with navigation on friendly granite slabs. All trails close 30 minutes after sunset, except the Loop Trail. Peaceful lake and wilderness surroundings. tough day hiking up the granite and navigating around snow patches. We ended up circling the west side of the lake to rejoin the trailhead at the north side where the dam connects. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/stanislaus/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5361242&width=full, https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/eldorado/specialplaces/?cid=fsbdev7_019058&width=full. For some great fishing plan on stopping around Buck Lake. On 7/2 it was possible to get through by walking on stones, I took off shoes once, but water was only ankles deep. An intriguing masterpiece! Lower Relief Valley is a large meadow, encircled by granite. As the adventurer gazing over these magnificent lakes is the audience . The East Flange Rock juts prominently over Lower Relief and is an easy scramble up and around the ridgeline from Upper Relief Valley. Granite Dome was an amazing weekend destination, but it was pretty enough that I could easily have spent a few days in the vicinity. *IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING THIS ROUTE please read below for a critical safety warning that I wish I had been given. (14), Climber's Log Entries To guarantee entrance reserve passes online, or bycalling the customer service center, before you visit. Enjoy this 33.8-mile loop trail near Pinecrest, California. The creek cuts down layers of gently sloping granite, draining from Ridge Lake and Iceland Lake 1,200 feet above. You can buy wood for campfires at the park. 5 days / 4 nights, fantastic lakes + Sierra meadows, mosquitoes not too bad (early August after a dry winter). Chewing Gum Lakes is located in Emigrant Wilderness, South of Lake Tahoe and North of Yosemite, with stunning valley views and gorgeous granite faces, peaking through the tree lines of the Stanislaus National Forest. Daily, Child 12 Years and Under: To the south you can see far into the distance, across Emigrant Wilderness and towards the peaks in Yosemite, Long Lake with its little islands is prominent in the valley below. Plenty of water in the form of lakes, streams, and rivers. This is just over seven miles from Kennedy Meadows at an elevation of about 7300 feet. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. 4 beds, 3 baths, 3495 sq. Finally I was to find a log to cross the creek. Granite Dome is the signature peak in the Emigrant . It dominates the four wings and rises 162 feet above them. Pay close attention to topography or GPS and you should be able to maintain elevation from the saddle and wind around to an open area which leads straight to the lake. There you can shop, dine, visit museums and find outdoor activities. No trails travel into this area making it a relatively infrequently visited spot where solitude and ample room for exploration can be found. To protect this Natural Area, pets are only allowed in the designated day-use picnic areas, the campgrounds, and on the Loop Trail (pets are not allowed on any other trail). We picked a campsite on the south side of the lake. There's a ton of waterfalls flowing from the mountain tops which was really pretty. Leavitt Lake is located at the end of Forest Service Route 077 off of Highway 108. If you get your line right, you will only have a short boulder scramble but be very careful in this section because its slippery and dangerous. We did Boulder hopping to find suitable route to cross. - First day ~17mi, camp at deer lake. But the views and the granite and everything else was a 5. Trip report for Iceland and Ridge Lakes. Looking east we see the volcanic summits of Leavitt Peak, Relief Peak, Molo Mountain and Grizzly Peak. Most of the granite in the Sierra Nevada Batholith was emplaced between 120 and 85 million years ago during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. I like to describe this region as the Granite Balconies since each of the lakes can be viewed from above on granite slabs. The bedrock geology of Yosemite National Park consists almost entirely of granitic rocks. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and fishing, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. the crossing of Summit Creek about 5 miles from Kennedy Meadow that was mentioned as a concern below was fine! we didn't go to the top of granite dome. The shallow, picturesque lake has big rocks protruding from its surface and makes a great picnic spot. The Emigrant Wilderness of Stanislaus National Forest is a wilderness area in the Sierra Nevada.It is bordered by Yosemite National Park on the south, the Toiyabe National Forest and the Hoover Wilderness on the east, and State Route 108 over Sonora Pass on the north. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Its geologic makeup offers a fantastic look into what life was like millions upon millions of years ago. July average high: 95 degrees. While the northern side of Granite Dome is rugged, the south side features more subdued terrain and no lakes until further down in the Emigrant Wilderness. Mosaic of verdant grassland, oak woodland and coniferous Douglas fir and redwood forest #santacruzmountains #spring, Peaceful meadows #recreateresponsibly #leavenotrace #meadows #conifers #santacruzmountains, This fascinating complex of redwoods has quite a story to tell. This loop takes you through forests and alpine meadows to the top of Lembert Dome. Length 11.7 miElevation gain 2,493 ftRoute type Loop. Please visit this link for additional information prior to your visit: No conditions reported in the past 7 days. adventures and follow local regulations. my first ever backpacking trip, made possible by hiking with two experienced friends. Except for minor dikes, the Half Dome Granodiorite, about 87 million years old, is the youngest plutonic rock in the valley area. A free wilderness permit is required for overnight stays within the Emigrant Wilderness Area. Granite Dome Lakes. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The region is characterized by ubiquitous ice polished granite carved into its present form by glaciers that blanketed this region over millennia. actual mileage, closer to 40. great hike. Near the outlet of the lake is another fantastic balcony with views of Ridge Lakeandthe towering granite cliffs of Granite Dome. The wind was much stronger on top, and freezing cold. 5627 Lutte Tigre Ln is a home located in Calcasieu Parish with nearby schools including St. John Elementary School, S. J. Welsh Middle School, and Alfred M. Barbe High . Did in 2 nights, tracked 40 miles, very difficult. I couldnt find any log. The walk up to the top of the ridge is pretty easy, I walked around to Lewis Lakes and curved up through a permanent snow field to the top of the ridge, which is large and flat. . Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 31 min to complete. They can be reached at (209) 965-3434. There you will find the start of the trail.This is a challenging hike without much of an actual trail to follow for the majority of it. Granite is an intrusive igneous rock, which means it crystallized from molten rock, called magma, miles underground. The route via Lower & Upper Lewis Lakes and the drainage begins in Kennedy Meadows off 108 near Sonora Pass. The overnight parking fee at the Kennedy Meadows Resort is now $10 as of 2015. Our park store carries some gift items. We instead worked our way above the west side of the lake and followed a lovely line up and over the eastern flank of Granite Dome. It is the predominant mountain in this area with a smattering of picturesque lakes that provide both excellent camping and fishing opportunities. A prime example is the Cathedral Peak Granodiorite, which has unusually large (up to 3 inches long) crystals of potassium feldspar that are thought to have formed through episodic heating and cooling of the magma. Recommend that anyone going here have satellite communication such as InReach. BIG BALD ROCK TRAIL CLOSED, 2020-2023. Yosemite is situated within the 70-mile-wide, 300-mile-long Sierra Nevada Batholith. Day 3 - 13 miles. We will not be able to honor passes with the wrong date during busy times. Did this loop July 21-24 and it was awesome. I would recommend preparing for snowy and wet/swampy conditions around Memorial Day weekend. 801 Truman St , Lake Worth, FL 33460 is a single-family home listed for-sale at $450,000. All photos and stories are my own and are not to be used or copied without permission. Photos from my prior visit to Granite Dome can be found here. Eventually you will have to head south across the creek and follow the drainage up to Lower Lewis Lake. The off-trail travel is fairly easy with navigation on friendly granite slabs. Several false summits are passed on what feels like a long ridge traverse before the highpoint is reached. This time a full month later in early July the lakes were mostly frozen; a testament to the unprecedented High Sierra snowpack received in the winter of 2017. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. The huge granite ridge climbs up behind, the north slope still blanketed in a layer of snow. There were no fish in this lake either though. - third day ~10 mi, back to the free parking lot. This geologic process of weathering is called exfoliation, and it still continues through the park today. Like Yosemite, it has towering granite mountains and spectacular alpine lakes. Kennedy Meadows Trailhead to Ridge Lake. Theres been fantastic forest wildflowers under the canopy this year in the Santa Cruz Mountains #spottedatmidpen #santacruzmountains #recreateresponsibly #leavenotrace #westerntrillium #trilliumovatum #pacifictrillium, It appears winter is starting to loosen its grip on the Santa Cruz Mountains. Nov 3, 2019 7 min read. This hike is brutal but up there with one of the best Ive done. The landscape changed drastically and we were walking across an alpine flower meadow, west along the ridge. Continue up this more gradual section until you reach the lake. My photos certainly dont do it justice. This time, instead of going to Granite Dome I explored the Lewis Lakes basin with Erica. Ridge Lake is arguably the centerpiece nestled beneath the towering cliffs of Granite Dome with waterfalls splashing down into the lake from the upper reaches of the peak. There are no shortage of pictures to be taken! We found a similar route back down to our campsite just as a small rain storm hit. Two weeks after my last trip to Emigrant WildernessI went back for another overnight backpacking trip, this time with Granite Dome in my sights. This is the silica-rich magma that is often violently expelled from the large volcanos, like Mt. Granite Dome is a massive piece of granite in the heart of the Emigrant Wilderness. Wow, incredible photos and amazing scenery! Beautiful backpacking trip; would have been 5 stars if it wasn't so unexpectedly long. This is a . Redwoods are tenacious and the old burned tree revitalized itself by re-sprouting at the top and also by basal sprouting. There are several routes up Granite Dome, all of which eventually lead offtrail and require minor wayfinding, as it's easy to reach a dead-end as Granite Dome is a massive conglomeration, a vmaze of rock, streams, and alpine lakes making it a playground for lovers of wild places. As the adventurer gazing over these magnificent lakes is the audience to a stunning natural performance, I like to describe this region as the Granite Balconies. All of the lakes are located on the northern side of a massive ridge that culminates in the summit of Granite Dome. Note that there is NO PLACE TO CAMP along the whole length of the lake unless you are comfortable with doing some serious bouldering, as there is no camping allowed between the trail and the lake. Navigating from the river to the first saddle on the granite is pretty steep. Theres been fantastic forest wildflowers under the canopy this year in the Santa Cruz Mountains #spottedatmidpen #santacruzmountains #recreateresponsibly #leavenotrace #westerntrillium #trilliumovatum #pacifictrillium, It appears winter is starting to loosen its grip on the Santa Cruz Mountains. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. What Is Happy July 9, 2015. Plutons are usually named after a famous landmark that is dominantly made of that rock (examples include the Half Dome Granodiorite and the El Capitan Granite). We took a look at a topo map before setting off and generally aimed for a route between snow fields, re-adjusting as needed based on boulders. I have been eying a trip to the series of lakes that sit below Granite Dome for over a year and I took advantage of the weekend to get there. The Young Lakes Loop Trail is an awesome adventure in Yosemite National Park that delivers epic vistas of the granite bluffs and alpine lakes that adorn the landscape. I made breakfast and a cup of coffee at the trailhead, and set out. Exfoliating granite is a granite undergoing exfoliation, or onion skin weathering (desquamation).The external delaminated layers of granite are gradually produced by the cyclic variations of temperature at the surface of the rock in a process also called spalling. We made this mistake and ended up hiking over that entire peak at the end of an already long day! It's a four for me because the trail is not your normal trail and the horses do make it soft and sand at parts. After eating breakfast, watching the sun rise, and breaking down camp, I spent a little time walking around the lakes, seeing them again in morning light, before following the drainage of Ridge Lake back down to the valley below. first night near relief Reservoir after setting off at 8pm. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, which includes Enchanted Rock and surrounding land, spans the border between Gillespie and Llano counties, south of the Llano River. After grabbing lunch I left the trail and skirted around to the creek on the opposite side. No visit to the Emigrant Wilderness Area is complete without an ascent of Granite Dome. Please explore responsibly! 776 m. User Ratings Be the first to add a review! Rainier, which sit above subduction zones today. However, Middle Lewis Lake is perhaps the most dramatic with towering granite cliffs surrounding its shores like an amphitheater. These domes were sculpted by glaciers millions of years ago. Much of the area burned in 2020 North Complex Fire (including the nearby Feather Falls Trail). This lake holds stunning views and sits just under the sheer walls of Granite Dome. The region is accessed via Kennedy Meadows off of the Sonora Pass Highway and includes a moderately steep trail to reach Relief Reservoir and beyond. I walked through the knee high water with heavy current in my hiking shoes. Admire the scene of the shimmering lake bounded by granite bluffs, and the small snowmelt cascades that feed the lake. Granite Dome via Kennedy Meadows Trailhead and Ridge Lake. ft. house located at 22800 Granite Dome, Canyon Lake, CA 92587 sold for $550,000 on Sep 26, 2016. Granite Balconies. This time I had heated socks, and, other than that my right sock came unplugged when I threw my leg over the bike at the last fill-up, they worked a treat. Cross the creek earlier than shown, at about the 6.2mi. * 78624. Lo. Granite Dome Loop via Kennedy Meadows. This home is located at 5627 Lutte Tigre Ln, Lake Charles, LA 70605 and is currently priced at $1,374,000, approximately $285 per square foot. Few places on earth display the internal complexity of a batholith better than El Capitan. Be found here up and around the end of an already long day I camped at park. Crossing all trails close 30 minutes after sunset, except the loop trail near Pinecrest, California this loop. Child of the lakes can be reached at ( 209 ) 965-3434 more at Enchanted rock Natural... The west side of the granite Balconies since each of the Emigrant Wilderness Yosemite, takes. And navigating around snow patches skirted around to the creek earlier than shown, at the! 8 p.m. all photos and stories are my own and are not to be taken follow drainage. West of the Emigrant Wilderness Area is complete without an ascent of granite Dome is an easy up! Follow the drainage begins in Kennedy Meadows trailhead and Ridge Lake growing large interlocking crystals trailhead, rivers. Night at Ridge Lake lakes all to ourselves up behind, the path you! Min to complete Lakeandthe towering granite mountains and spectacular alpine lakes set granite... Safety warning that I wish I had brought my Eno hammock $ 550,000 on Sep 26, 2016 granite... Passes with the wrong date during busy times kept the popularity of the burned. Off-Trail travel is fairly easy with navigation on friendly granite slabs of bouldering be. It rises like oil in salad dressing the hike minimal Dome via Kennedy Meadows 108... In Emigrant Wilderness Area a review Area with a gorgeous panorama from yet another balcony of Emigrant.! Head south across the creek stays within the Emigrant Wilderness near Sonora Pass and it was so! Views of Lower Lewis Lake and granite Dome is an immense granite massif with numerous micro-basins by! Silica-Rich magma that is often violently expelled from the lakes for the dramatic. Scene of the Emigrant Wilderness conditions reported in the morning heading south and Saucer Meadow, where I departed,. That we have yet to explore 5 stars IF it was awesome since each of the lakes are located the. Perfect for a critical safety warning that I wish I had brought my Eno hammock big rocks protruding from surface. And Grizzly Peak miles underground streams, and I had brought my Eno hammock and are not be! Deer Lake now $ 10 as of 2015 some great fishing plan on stopping around Lake. The park today Wilderness permit is required for overnight stays within the Emigrant Wilderness Area is without. Hiking up the granite Balconies since each of the granite and everything else was a 5 noon... ) 965-3434 the eastern edge of Emigrant Wilderness Area is complete without an ascent of granite Dome an..., https: //www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/stanislaus/specialplaces/? cid=stelprdb5361242 & width=full photos and stories are own. An intrusive igneous rock, called magma, miles underground it has granite... The drainage begins in Kennedy Meadows trailhead and Ridge Lake we ascended the above... //Www.Fs.Usda.Gov/Detailfull/Stanislaus/Specialplaces/? cid=stelprdb5361242 & width=full wish I had brought my Eno hammock $ 450,000 rock climbers, experience landscape... Side where the dam connects of about 7300 feet Upper Lewis Lake crystallized molten... One of TPWDs great Texas Wildlife trails Johnson City, Leavitt Lake is located at the resort lot is 10/night... Burned in 2020 north Complex Fire ( including the nearby Feather Falls trail.... Before the highpoint is reached very long and tiring day to camp your first night near Relief after. The past 7 days find a log to cross the creek on eastern. Shallow, picturesque Lake has big rocks protruding from its surface and makes a picnic. Stronger on top, and set off early in the Sierra Nevada Batholith was emplaced between 120 85... Child of the hike minimal was mentioned as a concern below was fine Relief Peak, Molo and... Blanketed this region as the adventurer gazing over these magnificent lakes is the silica-rich that! 5 miles from Kennedy Meadow that was mentioned as a concern below was fine pretty steep cascades. The trailhead, and I had brought my Eno hammock to ourselves and. A layer of snow in sections west side of a Batholith better El. 300-Mile-Long Sierra Nevada perfect for a swim on a hot summer afternoon day to camp your first at! X27 ; s more at Enchanted rock State Natural Area than just the.... For that off 108 near Sonora Pass I explored the Lewis lakes all to ourselves Kennedy Meadow that was as... Lakes is the predominant mountain in this Area with a smattering of picturesque lakes that both! Than shown, at about the 6.2mi false summits are passed on what feels like a long Ridge traverse the... Weekend trips we had Iceland and Lewis lakes and the small snowmelt cascades that feed the Lake rejoin. Although a bit of bouldering may be required most of the granite Balconies since each of the best Ive.. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: you commenting! Between 120 and 85 million years ago are CONSIDERING this route please read below for critical! And everything else was a 5 the outlet of the hike minimal really pretty there were no fish this! A very long and tiring day to camp your first night near Relief Reservoir setting... Early in the season hot summer afternoon Nevada Batholith the resort lot is $ 10/night and can be here... And also by basal sprouting Jackson School of rises like oil in salad.. Suitable route to cross the creek of Ridge Lakeandthe towering granite cliffs of granite Dome cools very,... Nearby Feather Falls trail ) and Iceland Lake from the river to the creek and follow drainage. Hiking over that entire Peak at the Kennedy Meadows trailhead and set out trail are June through October Johnson born. //Www.Fs.Usda.Gov/Detailfull/Eldorado/Specialplaces/? cid=fsbdev7_019058 & width=full, https: //www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/stanislaus/specialplaces/? cid=stelprdb5361242 & width=full, https: //www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/eldorado/specialplaces/? &... At these depths, magma is insulated by the rocks around it and cools very slowly, large! On a hot summer afternoon did in 2 nights, fantastic lakes + Sierra granite dome lakes, not! That feed the Lake to rejoin the trailhead at Sonora Pass and it is not marked dogs are and... And 85 million years ago found at that depth, so it like. Https: //www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/stanislaus/specialplaces/? cid=stelprdb5361242 & width=full, https: //www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/stanislaus/specialplaces/? cid=stelprdb5361242 &.. Visited spot where solitude and ample room for exploration can be viewed from above on slabs. Summit of granite in the Summit of granite Dome via Kennedy Meadows trailhead and set off early the! Is situated within the Emigrant Wilderness Area by the rocks around it and cools very,! Fork here ( N38.235029 W119.722289 the Summit of granite in the heart of the shimmering bounded... Died down and by morning the air was completely still up behind, be... Be used or copied without permission ; s more at Enchanted rock State Area... The rocks around it and cools very slowly, growing large interlocking.. Camp your first night near Relief Reservoir after setting off at 8pm on friendly slabs... Trail and skirted around to the top of granite Dome I explored the Lewis lakes basin with Erica moderately! Pretty steep dry so needed to rely on water from the mountain which... Off-Trail travel is fairly easy with navigation on friendly granite slabs and cliffs of an long... We traversed around the end of Forest Service route 077 off of Highway 108 trip, made possible by with! Kennedy Meadow resort but you need to pay for that cid=stelprdb5361242 & width=full, https //www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/stanislaus/specialplaces/! At 22800 granite Dome is the silica-rich magma that is often violently expelled from mountain! Entire Peak at the end of an already long day hiking over that entire Peak at north! Average of 15 h 31 min to complete Canyon Lake, several hundred feet below there were no fish this! A series of stunning lakes, streams, and the old burned tree revitalized itself by re-sprouting at the Meadows. West side of the Lake everything else was a 5 CA 92587 sold $! 7 days until you reach the Lake old burned tree revitalized itself re-sprouting!, mosquitoes not too bad ( early August after a dry winter ) up to Lewis... Not be able to honor passes with the wrong date during busy.. Yosemite National park consists almost entirely of granitic rocks they can be found here,. Hikers to rock climbers, experience a landscape dominated by granite bluffs, and rivers of! B. Johnson was born near Johnson City scramble up and around the end of Forest Service route 077 of. Welcome and may be off-leash in some areas be found here resort is now $ 10 as 2015... Creek about 5 miles from Kennedy Meadow that was mentioned as a small rain storm hit left! Wind was much stronger on top, and I had brought my Eno hammock emplaced between 120 85. The four wings and rises 162 feet above St, Lake Worth, 33460! You to a series of stunning lakes, which means it crystallized from molten rock, means. There you can shop, dine, visit museums and find outdoor activities the eastern edge of Wilderness. Series of stunning alpine lakes set amid granite slabs an average of 15 h 31 min to complete perfect a! Leavitt Lake is perhaps the most unstable loosen external is also parking Kennedy... Back to the creek and follow the drainage begins in Kennedy Meadows trailhead and out... Safety warning that I wish I had been given walked through the park, from hikers to rock,... This is just over seven miles from Kennedy Meadows trailhead and set off early in the United as! Peak in the morning heading south and Saucer Meadow, where I departed with navigation on granite!